Tanker Washouts

Comprehensive Tanker Washouts & Additional Services at AAA TruckWash

At AAA TruckWash, we take pride in being a trusted leader in food-grade tanker cleaning, offering specialized washout services and a suite of additional offerings to ensure your fleet meets the highest standards of cleanliness and safety. Located in Ripon, California, and at our other strategic locations, our facilities are equipped with cutting-edge cleaning technology and staffed by a team of experts dedicated to keeping your tankers road-ready. We adhere to strict FDA, IMS, and Kosher certification standards, ensuring compliance and quality for every job. Whether you’re transporting food products, chemicals, or other sensitive materials, our tailored washout options and supplementary services are designed to meet your needs with precision and efficiency.

Tailored Cleaning for Every Load

Tanker washouts are the cornerstone of our business, and we offer a variety of options to accommodate the diverse requirements of the transportation industry. Each washout type is designed to address specific cleaning challenges, from light rinses to intensive multi-cycle processes. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what we provide:

Type 1 Tank Washout:

Our entry-level service, the Type 1 Tank Washout, is a quick and efficient rinse-only option. This service uses high-pressure water to flush out loose debris and is best suited for tankers that have carried non-food items, such as dry goods or inert materials, or for a rapid clean between similar loads (e.g., consecutive runs of the same food-grade product). While it’s a fast and cost-effective solution—typically completed in under 30 minutes—it does not include chemical cleaning or sanitizing steps, so it’s not guaranteed to meet food safety inspection standards. It’s perfect for drivers on tight schedules who need a basic refresh before their next haul.

Type 2 Tank Washout:

Stepping up the intensity, the Type 2 Tank Washout is a thorough cleaning process ideal for food-grade tankers. It begins with a pre-rinse to remove surface debris, followed by a 160° caustic cycle—a powerful alkaline wash that breaks down organic residues like fats, proteins, and sugars left behind by food products. The process concludes with a cool-down sanitizing rinse, using an approved disinfectant to eliminate bacteria and ensure the tank is safe for transporting edible goods. This option strikes a balance between efficiency and rigor, making it a popular choice for routine food transport maintenance.

Type 3 Tank Washout:

For tankers that have hauled greasy, oily, or stubborn materials, the Type 3 Tank Washout adds an extra layer of cleaning power. After the initial pre-rinse, we apply a 160° degreasing cycle with a specialized solution formulated to dissolve and remove heavy grease and oil buildup. This is followed by the 160° caustic cycle to tackle organic residues and a final sanitizing rinse to kill any remaining microorganisms. This service is ideal for tankers transitioning between different types of loads—say, from an oily substance to a food-grade product—ensuring no cross-contamination occurs. It’s a robust solution for maintaining versatility in your fleet.

Type 5 Tank Washout:

Our flagship service, the Type 5 Tank Washout, is the gold standard in tanker cleaning, designed for the toughest jobs. This comprehensive process includes:

1. A pre-rinse to loosen debris.

2. A 160° degreasing cycle to strip away grease and oil.

3. A 160° caustic cycle to eliminate organic residues.

4. A 208° potable water cycle to flush out all cleaning agents with scalding-hot, food-safe water.

5. A cool-down sanitizing rinse to ensure a bacteria-free interior. This multi-step approach guarantees a spotless tank, making it the go-to choice for tankers that have carried hazardous materials, sticky substances like molasses or syrups, or anything requiring an impeccable clean before the next load. The high-temperature potable water rinse not only enhances cleanliness but also prepares the tank for immediate use, reducing downtime for your fleet.

Kosher Washouts:

For clients transporting Kosher-certified products, we offer specialized Kosher washouts available in Type II, III, or V configurations, depending on the level of cleaning required. Our facility is IMS and Kosher certified, and our staff is trained in the stringent protocols mandated by Jewish dietary laws. This includes using only Kosher-approved cleaning agents, ensuring no non-Kosher substances (like pork derivatives or non-certified chemicals) contact the tank, and maintaining separate equipment where necessary. We follow FDA and JPA (Jewish Processing Authority) guidelines to provide a clean that meets both regulatory and religious standards, giving you confidence that your tanker is ready for Kosher loads. Documentation of the process is available upon request for certification purposes.

Our washout services are supported by HACCP-certified processes (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and efficient Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems, which deliver consistent, repeatable results with minimal manual intervention. Most washouts are completed within an hour, minimizing disruption to your schedule while maximizing cleanliness.

Services: Beyond the Washout

At AAA Truckwash, we go beyond basic tank cleaning to offer a full range of supplementary services that keep your entire truck in top condition. These offerings are designed to enhance safety, extend equipment life, and improve driver satisfaction. Here’s what we provide:

Swab Testing
:

Cleanliness isn’t just about appearances—it’s about safety and compliance. Our swab testing service uses scientific methods to check for residual contaminants, such as bacteria, allergens, or chemical traces, after a washout. We swab key areas of the tank, analyze the samples, and provide detailed documentation that can be used for regulatory audits or customer verification. This service is especially valuable for food-grade haulers who need proof that their tankers meet stringent health and safety standards.

Pump Cleaning
:

Tanker trucks rely on pumps to load and unload materials, and a dirty pump can lead to clogs, inefficiencies, or even costly breakdowns. Our pump cleaning service disassembles and cleans the pumping system, removing residue and buildup that could impair performance. Regular pump maintenance not only ensures smooth operation but also extends the lifespan of this critical component, saving you money on repairs and replacements over time.

Air Dry
:

After a washout, water left behind can lead to spots, rust, or corrosion—especially in hard-to-reach corners of a tank. Our air dry service uses powerful forced-air blowers to evaporate moisture quickly and thoroughly. This speeds up the drying process (often cutting it down to minutes rather than hours), prevents metal degradation, and ensures your tanker is ready for its next load without delay. It’s a small step that delivers big benefits in terms of equipment longevity and aesthetics.

Hose Cleaning:

Hoses are the unsung heroes of tanker transport, but they’re also prime spots for cross-contamination if not properly maintained. Our hose cleaning service flushes and sanitizes your truck’s hoses, removing residue from previous loads and eliminating bacteria or mold that could compromise food safety. Whether you’re switching between dairy and juice or chemicals and water, clean hoses ensure purity and prevent costly load rejections.

Heels Removal:

“Heels” refer to the small amounts of product left clinging to the bottom or sides of a tank after unloading—think of it as the last stubborn bit of honey in a jar. Left unchecked, heels can spoil, foster bacterial growth, or mix with the next load, leading to contamination. Our heels removal service uses targeted high-pressure washing and manual scraping (if needed) to eliminate every trace of residue, ensuring your tank is completely empty and pristine for its next use.

Why Choose AAA TruckWash?

Our commitment to excellence sets us apart. Our experienced team combines expertise with state-of-the-art equipment to deliver results you can trust. We understand the pressures of the transportation industry—tight schedules, strict regulations, and the need for reliability—and we’ve built our services to address those challenges head-on. From our convenient locations to our customer-first approach, we’re here to make your job easier.

Whether you need a quick Type 1 rinse to get back on the road or a Type 5 Kosher washout for a high-stakes food-grade haul, AAA TruckWash has you covered. Our additional services ensure that every part of your truck—from the tank to the hoses to the cab—is in peak condition, reducing downtime and keeping your fleet compliant and efficient.

Ready to experience the AAA difference? Contact us today to schedule your washout or learn more about how we can support your sanitary food transport needs. At AAA TruckWash, we don’t just clean trucks—we keep your business moving forward.

OUR PROMISE

At AAA Truckwash, we’re more than a cleaning service—we’re your partner in keeping your fleet on the move. We promise unmatched quality and efficiency, delivering swift, thorough washes that minimize downtime and get you back on the road faster. In an industry where every minute matters, we’re here to ensure your vehicles shine without slowing you down.

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Tanker Washout

Our team
of experts
will help solve
your needs

Give us a call
today!

Contact a AAA Truck Wash representative today to discuss your needs.

Our team
of experts
will help solve
your needs

Give us a call
today!